I (ilWQ (pa(It1G) I SMOKE SIGNALS
Letters to the Editor
Dear tribal members: .
I would like to say "Thank You" to all of
the people that have been supportive to mc
while serving on Tribal Council. The Tribe
is in a new era and we find ourselves com
peting in a tough business world. The tech
nology has changed and will continue to
change, we must, as a Tribe, keep up with
these changes. Wc all need to work together
as a team.
The Tribal Council has many important
decisions to make and wc will continue to
focus on tribal member needs. I think that
wc have excellent leadership in our new
Executive Officer, Francis Somday. He
works closely with the Tribal Council to
monitor business and explore new ventures.
It has been less than a year since the Spirit
Mountain Casino opened and wc have been
able to implement the Health Security Pro
gram for the Elders, start a new Housing
Authority for planning and starting a new
housing program, begin a retirement pro
gram for all tribal members, and expand the
education program.
I am thankful to be able to continue work
ing with Tribal Council for three more years
and welcome your suggestions and com
ments regarding the Tribe's future.
Leon C. Tom
mir- m Km rmw? 'mu-w
Dear tribal members:
1 wish to thank all of the tribal member
ship who supported me for the 19 Tribal
Council election. Congratulations to Leon
Tom and Rcyn Lcno for getting elected
also. On September 10, the Tribal Court
conducted the swearing in ceremony for us.
At the September 1 1 Council meeting, the
Tribal Council elected Kathryn Harrison as
Tribal Council Chairman, and I wish to
congratulate her.
As a Tribal Council member, I will con
tinue to pursue diversifying the economic
base for the Tribe. We cannot exclusively
rely on gaming revenues. In early January,
the Oregon Legislature will be in session. It
is anticipated that legislators will attempt to
tinker with tribal gaming. For those of you
who reside in the PortlandSalem metro
areas, you may recall reading in the news
papers, that extensive articles have been
printed about Indian gaming. They state
that the tribes are reaping enormous profits,
and pay no taxes. It appears they are trying
to arouse public sentiment against gaming,
thus getting the state legislative assembly to
address it in some fashion. The Tribe needs
to remind the press that we do indeed
voluntarily pay for police protection under
an agreement with the Polk County
Sheriffs Department. Also, the Tribe is
negotiating an agreement with the local
Fire Protection District, since the Tribe will
be developing housing in the future.
Further, it is expected that on the
national level, Congress will attempt to
impose a tax on Indian gaming revenue, or
restrict it. It will be vital for our Tribal
Council to establish and maintain a rela
tionship with the Oregon Congressional
Delegation, to combat any hostile actions
that other members of Congress will take
on gaming. But, under any circumstances,
gaming is a short-term economic mainstay
for the Tribe. Wc must do other forms of
economic activity to survive.
Mark Mercicr
L
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Dear all tribal members,
I wanted to take a moment to thank you
for inviting me to be a part of your first
rodeo. It's a privilege to be part of history,
and to see an idea come to life and be a
tradition in the community.
All of you are to be commended on a job
well done ! The folks that put on the break
fast to the water truck drivers. The courte
ous staff at the gate, and the countless
people that I personally came in contact
with were super!
I especially noted that there was an un
derlying current of unity and pride in the
rodeo. I didn't see personal egos get into
the event. People working together for the
good of the community is a splendid thing
to behold!
It was easy to spot community pride, but
when you couple that with Native Ameri
can pride... it is a positive double whammy!
I hope all of you get a chance to rest on
your laurels for a while, give yourselves a
nice pat on the back.
. I look forward to seeing all of you again
in the future, take care, and thanks again
for all your hospitality.
Your friend,
Kedo Olson
Rodeo Announcer
Grand Ronde Service
Integration Team to
benefit community
Service Integration has to do with part
nerships between human service providers.
In Polk County, this has an eight year his
tory in working with the schools. This be
gan with Youth Service teams in several of
the schools and has evolved into the Ser
vice Integration Project which includes all
schools in Polk County. Historically, fami
lies went to many different agencies at dif
ferent times to access services, often many
miles away. Often different agencies have
many different plans and expectations for
families to fullfil. This process just adds
stress to a family already experiencing dif
ficulty. One goal of this project is for agen
cies and service providers to work together
as though they are one organization. To
meet in a place convenient to the family
whenever possible. The meetings in Grand
Ronde vary, but always include a group of
service providers and community members
from both counties and the Tribe. Two com
munity efforts have been accomplished in
just a short time Summer Coyote Camp
and the Health Fair.
A big rodeo thank you
4f'Jlp T'ie Spirit Mountain Stampede would not have been made pos
sible without the efforts of the hard-working tribal, non-tribal, and
community volunteers who gave of their time so generously.
The Spirit Mountain Stampede Committee would like to especially
thank the Public Works Department, Forestry Department, Account
ing, the Legal Department, Casino Maintenance and Marketing staff, Spirit Mountain De
velopment Corporation, the Willamina High School Varsity Football Team, Yamhill County
Fairgrounds personnel, Polk and Yamhill County Sheriffs Office, and the Willamina Fire
Department Emergency Medical Crew.
Thanks to Shirley Larscn and Steve Bobb, Sr., for painting the signs; True Value for
donating all the paint and materials; and Ray Drayton for donating the porta-potties.
Also thank you to our sponsors and contributors some local and some not so local:
Boyds; KRKT FM; Pepsi; Benny's Beef & Brew; Bob's Burger Express; The Bonanza;
Century 21; Childcr's Meats; Pracgitzer Industries, Inc.; Sheridan Tire & Exhaust; Stuck
Electric; SuperPlay Kid's Club; Ultra Quiet Floors; Windermere Realty; Bearco Towing &
Recovery; Benny Huie's; City Sanitary; Coastal Farm & Home Supply; Coldwell Banker;
Wandering Spirit RV Park; Copeland Lumber; Davison Auto Supplies; DC-76; Drake
Construction; Fort Hill Lounge; Jim's Trading Post; Larson Motors; Leonette's; Movietime
Video; NormArt; Vic's Restaurant & Lounge; Willamina Saw Service; Mac Rental; Mater
Engineering; Paul Pink Architecture, Ltd.; Valley Pacific; Captain Paul May; Strategic
Wealth Management; Wells Fargo Bank; Spirit Mountain Casino; and many more indi
viduals we may have missed,
A great big appreciation to the entertainment: Luckiamute bluegrass band and Braids
and the Braves square dancers. Stock provided by Howell Rodeo Company, and sanc
tioned by the Northwest Pro Rodeo Association. Also, thanks to Dean Kincaide from
Tillamook, for putting up our arena. He had a lot of patience with us.
We are especially indebted to the members of the Tribal Council who made this
dream a reality. Our thanks to all of you.